The Bridge #147
in which we relax into summer intentionally
Hello
& Welcome ! The Bridge is a newsletter connecting the professional and the personal creatively across cultures and a diversity of topics, until we are not only full of ideas but also ready to take action. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have meetings that open doors I’m not yet ready to walk through. The doors open, and I’m delighted at the prospect. I don’t have clarity on how to take the next steps. I want to walk through, but I feel a little trepidation, wondering if I’m prepared for what I’ll experience on the other side.
Back in April I had a meeting to talk about running paid workshops for parents at a cafe familiale (or “cafe poussette”) opening up in nearby Vincennes this September. I was given near carte blanche for subject matter. What did I feel qualified to teach? If I picked a theme, priced the class and nobody showed up — what would that mean Feeling some self-doubt, I projected that onto the cafe owners: How could they be so enthusiastic about me so soon? Did they know what they’re doing?
So — I experimented with a few things, let the emotions run their course, and settled on a “starting step” small enough to try and big enough to learn from. Debuting soon!
But first, I’ll let the well-being of a summer break secure my readiness. Restfulness has consistently served me well, strengthening my intuition and clarifying what merits my energy and attention. I’m welcoming summer relaxation as a way to recharge my spirit.
Something to Listen to
A little music history (that I just learned researching the song I wanted to share with you today) — This jazz number from an album of the same name was a “comeback” moment for one of the greatest tenor saxophonists of all time Sonny Rollins.
He grew up in Harlem with neighbors like W.E.B. DuBois, Thelonious Monk as mentor, Coleman Hawkins as idol and later collaborator, Miles Davis as an early believer in the kid’s talent… Very quickly, Rollins’ musical talent was recognized by the industry and the greats. Though he’d also grown up with crime and drugs, a lifestyle that threatened to bring him down, he found the support he needed to accelerate his jazz career without heroine. Then he took a pause.
From 1959 - 1962 he took a break from performances and improvised on The Williamsburg Bridge (to not disturb neighbors in his building). At a certain point, having also taken up yogo, he felt ready to “re-enter the world” and released The Bridge — one of his best-selling albums and one that was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
Sonny Rollins passed away in May at the age of 95, having recorded more than 60 albums! He was prolific, and became known for taking “sabbaticals” in his career, which probably helped him live long.
The powerful creativity nourished by a meaningful pause that a mindful jazz great born in NYC took in order to produce a song that I wish I could say I knew when I started this newsletter is something I obviously wanted to highlight, but honestly, it’s all pure coincidence. Thanks to Piper for first pointing me to this song long ago.
Something to Read
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
If you read the title too fast, you might see “Listening” — which is a wonderfully playful way to ensure we give due attention to a book of poetry that encourages us to light up boldly.
Andrea Gibson (like Sonny Rollins) is no longer living among us, but her creative voice lives on. We are better for it.
When you are trapped in a nightmare, your motivation to awaken will be so much greater than that of someone caught up in a relatively pleasant dream. ~Eckhart Tolle
When I realized the storm /
was inevitable, I made it /
my medicine.
Took two snowflakes /
on the tongue in the morning, /
two snowflakes on the tongue /
by noon.
There were no side effects. /
Only sound effects. Reverb /
added to my lifespan, /
an echo that asked — /
What part of your life’s record is skipping? /
What wound is on repeat?
Something to Keep in Mind
My health situation has been something I’m paying close attention to lately. An eye infection lasting longer than expected, I got a blood test to determine the cause. Anemia was cause for the eye infection, but why had I become anemic? The hypothesis was something to do with inflammation in my gut (large intestines). A colonscopy verified that yes - there’s inflammation, and it’s very likely Crohn’s Disease. Which I am learning more about, but for now it’s helpful to have a name for the thing that’s ailed me for so long.
I’m naturally drawn to soulful people, people who listen closely and who see things in a holistic light (understanding as well what’s broken in the culture around us). Doctors, as participants in the medical establishment, are not known for being soulful, generally speaking. They are busy, stressed, very smart but rarely so well-attuned to the emotional / relational aspects of health. It’s been wonderfully weird to welcome in their help at this time. Whatever is helpful is good, and sometimes I still have reason to complain. Yet I feel genuinely optimistic.
Something to Practice
Get ready for summer vibes,
and write me what’s alive for you in this moment.
Hope you feel at ease.
Speak soon,
JPC
P.S. This was 100% written by a human.